The WNBA veteran, primarily a small forward but capable of playing the two-guard, is an important upgrade to the Storm's second unit.

"I think she's got a great chance to make the team," said Agler. "She's a seasoned veteran and she's been through it. She's a great competitor and she's got tremendous instincts for the game. She doesn't back down from people. She's a competitor. She can score and she can stretch the defense. The thing you've got to do with Svetlana is get her to play disciplined defensively because she's a gambler, she's a risk-taker - which is not all bad, but you've got to get it harnessed."

Agler has plenty of experience with Abrosimova, having drafted her and coached her during her first two WNBA seasons in Minnesota. Assistant Coach Nancy Darsch also worked with Abrosimova in the same role with the Lynx. That means the Storm knows exactly what to expect in terms of Abrosimova's personality and how she will fit in with the team in the locker room. Her experience playing alongside Bird and Swin Cash at the University of Connecticut is a plus there as well.

On the court, Abrosimova's game is proven. During her last full season, 2007, she averaged 10.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, shooting 44.6 percent from three-point range. Abrosimova sat out the first half of the 2008 season to prepare to play for Russia in the Olympics, then returned briefly with the Connecticut Sun before not playing in the WNBA last year. But Abrosimova did not have to be talked into a return.

"She sort of recruited us a little bit," said Agler, who met with Abrosimova during the Euroleague Final Four in Valencia, Spain earlier this month. "I'm not saying that in any kind of boastful way. I just think she looked around and there were things she wanted in her next experience. The city of Seattle, the fans we have, her being familiar with Sue and Swin, wanting to play with people like Lauren (Jackson), being familiar with me - I think there were a lot of things she liked about our situation. It made it better when we pursued her."

Abrosimova is starting for European power UMMC Ekaterinburg, and had 13 points on Tuesday as Ekaterinburg defeated Bird and Spartak Moscow Region 87-79 to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five Russian Superleague Finals.